Major Changes Coming to Google Maps Platform: What You Need to Know

Starting March 1, 2025, Google Maps Platform is introducing a set of structural changes to pricing, product tiers, discount models, and the status of certain legacy APIs. Whether you’re testing the waters or managing complex global rollouts, the new structure is designed to bring greater clarity and predictability to your billing experience.

Let’s walk through what’s changing, what it means for you, and how to make the most of it—all with Cloudfresh by your side.

New Product Tiers: Essentials, Pro, Enterprise

Google Maps Platform will now be offered in three defined tiers:

1. Essentials – Designed for early-stage use. Covers foundational services like Dynamic Maps, Static Maps, and Place Details.
2. Pro – Includes access to more advanced features such as Dynamic Street View and Aerial View.
3. Enterprise – Built for organizations that depend heavily on location data. Includes features like Places Insights and Photorealistic 3D Tiles.

Some existing APIs—such as Directions and Distance Matrix—will be consolidated under the new Routes API. As of March 1, 2025, these legacy APIs will be unavailable to new projects.

Replacing the $200 Credit with SKU-Based Free Allowances

Google is replacing its $200 flat monthly credit with a more granular system that assigns free usage per SKU:

• Essentials SKUs: 10,000 free monthly billable events
• Pro SKUs: 5,000 free events
• Enterprise SKUs: 1,000 free events

This change favors those using specific services in a consistent way. For instance, 10,000 Dynamic Maps calls and 5,000 Dynamic Street View calls may now result in zero charges where you’d previously pay $100. However, high-volume static map users may see modest increases—e.g., 100,000 Static Maps calls will now cost $180.

Legacy APIs Are Being Replaced

We know that updates to long-standing services can raise questions—and that’s why we want to help you navigate this shift with clarity and support.

Google Maps Platform is officially moving several services to Legacy status, including the original Places API, Directions API, and Distance Matrix API. These will no longer be available to newly enabled projects starting March 1, 2025.

If you’re already using one of these Legacy services, you can continue doing so for now. However, it’s important to know that:

1. Legacy services will not receive new features going forward.
2. They are only eligible for volume discounts up to 100,000+ billable events per month.
3. To benefit from the new, expanded automatic volume discounts, you’ll need to migrate to the newer APIs—Places API (New) or Routes API.
4. If you have a negotiated agreement, it will remain valid until the end of its term. The only immediate change will be to the monthly free usage structure.

While Google hasn’t set a final deprecation date yet, they will give at least 12 months’ notice when it does happen—giving you time to transition.

If you’re wondering what this means for your setup, or how to make the switch with minimal disruption, Cloudfresh is here to support you every step of the way—from impact assessment to hands-on migration planning.

Volume Discounts: More Granular and Transparent

Discounts are now available across seven usage tiers, with Tiers 3 through 5 now accessible online. Here’s the updated tier breakdown:

New Online Self-Serve Tiers:

• Tier 1: 0–100K API calls
• Tier 2: 100–500K
• Tier 3: 500K–1M
• Tier 4: 1M–5M
• Tier 5: 5M–10M

Previously, end users could only view and select from the first two tiers online. Now, five tiers — from Tier 1 to Tier 5 — are visible and available through self-serve access. This means you get greater transparency in pricing as your usage grows, more flexibility to choose the tier that fits your needs, and easier access to higher volume discounts without having to go through a sales representative.

And when you work with Cloudfresh, you don’t just get access — you get support every step of the way:

• We automatically provide you with discounts up to Tier 5
• You may unlock additional savings based on your unique usage
• You can pay in the way that’s most convenient for your business
• And you get a dedicated team to help you optimize your API usage, cut unnecessary costs, and make the most of your setup

Tiers 6 & 7 (10M+ API Calls): Now Powered by Spend-Based Discounts

If your usage exceeds 10 million API calls per month, please contact our sales team. We can offer custom discounts and special terms beyond Tier 5 through a tailored agreement.

For usage up to 10 million API calls, everything is now fully covered within the five available self-serve tiers — allowing you to easily estimate and manage your costs online. Once your usage reaches 10M, we’ll work with you to create a flexible agreement that fits your growth and evolving needs.

One of the key advantages of the new spend-based discount model is its predictability. With clearly defined discount tiers based on monthly spend, customers can better anticipate their savings. As usage grows, the discount scales alongside it—offering more flexibility and cost-efficiency. Additionally, authorized partners gain greater control over managing and applying discounts, ensuring eligible customers receive the best possible pricing for their needs.

As an authorized Google Maps Platform partner, Cloudfresh can offer eligible customers exclusive spend-based discounts—based on their monthly usage.These discounts are available for accounts with high usage volumes (such as over 10 million billable events per month on a paid Core Services SKU).

What Happens to Existing Customers?

From September 1, 2025, existing Volume Pricing Addendum (VPA) contracts will expire. Organizations that don’t transition to a spend-based discount model will automatically fall back to Tier 5 pricing. Two options are available for you:

1. Do nothing – Remain within Tier 5 limits.
2. Sign a new agreement – Switch to the spend-based model and potentially lower costs further.

What You Should Do Next

Big changes are coming to Google Maps Platform. Now’s the time to get ahead—so you’re not just ready, but well-positioned to make smarter decisions.

Here’s how to prepare—and how Cloudfresh can support you throughout the transition:

1. Get a Clear Picture of Your Usage
   Start by reviewing which SKUs you rely on today. Are any of them shifting into new product tiers or pricing brackets? Knowing where you stand will help you forecast any new costs—or identify where you’ll save more.
2. Use Us as Your Pricing Team
   Not sure if you qualify for spend-based discounts? Unclear if your usage level could place you in a higher discount tier? That’s where we come in. We’ll walk you through the numbers and identify where you can make gains.
3. Try the New Pricing Calculator
   Google’s updated calculator lets you plug in real usage and see updated estimates instantly. We’ll show you how to use it so you can plan billing without any guesswork.
4. Prep for Contract Transitions
   If your contract expires after September 1, 2025, it’s time to think ahead. Whether you’re planning to sign a new contract or just want to avoid surprises, we’ll help you prepare.
5. Keep Key Docs Within Reach
   We’ll make sure you’ve got the latest FAQs, pricing sheets, and calculators—plus answers to anything that’s still fuzzy.

Cloudfresh is here to simplify the process. Whether it’s running the numbers, reshaping your contract, or just breaking down the options, we’ll help you move through these changes with clarity and control. Have questions? Let’s talk.  We’re ready when you are.